Egypt imposes Cairo curfew after 24 killed in clashes!
CAIRO, Egypt (PNN) - October 10, 2011 - Egypt's army rulers imposed a curfew on Cairo's Tahrir Square and downtown area, state media announced on Sunday, after 24 people were reported killed in clashes between Christians and military police in the center of the capital.
The curfew would last from 2:00- 7:00 am local time on Monday, state TV reported.
The Egyptian Cabinet called an emergency meeting for Monday, vowing the violence would not derail the country's first election since Hosni Mubarak was toppled.
The Cabinet said in a statement that it would "not let any group manipulate the issue of national unity in Egypt or delay the process of democratic transformation", which it said would begin with opening the doors to candidate nominations.
Cabinet spokesman Mohamed Hegazy said the Cabinet would hold a special session on Monday to discuss the events.
"The most important thing is to contain the situation, see the way forward, and the necessary measures to avoid any ramifications," Hegazy said, adding a committee of prominent figures from the church and Al-Azhar mosque would also meet.
Presidential candidate Amr Moussa and political groups said they would hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the violence.
Fighting started when Christians protesting against an attack on a church clashed with military police, according to unnamed witnesses and security sources. The fighting spread across the downtown area on Sunday.
